Hot Topics

Fossils millions of years old taken out of the country

Portugal has been losing many plant fossils that have been taken by researchers from other countries abroad. The complaint is made by a paleontologist from CIMA, University of Algarve. The Portuguese law does not provide the protection of this kind of heritage. There are Portuguese fossils to be taken to other countries.

The alert is made by Mario Mendes, a researcher from the Centre for Marine and Environmental Research (CIMA) at the University of Algarve. This is a matter "extremely sensitive" that puts in question "relevant natural and cultural values". Portugal has excellent conditions for the study of the evolutionary history of plants, recognized in almost all over the world. These features have aroused the curiosity and interest of researchers from other countries.